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[SouravMay]

Person of color is NOT person of color.

A woman that looks like Nina Simone is at the very bottom in the hierarchy of social acceptance.
Stop acting like Hally Berry, Rashida Jones, and Octavia Spencer are treated equally in the United States, that is just ridiculous. 

[BigDawg]

I feel like Zoe keeping the role only perpetuated the studio's agenda. They didnt pick her because they believed she could embody Nina. They picked her because she is the "It" black girl that can appeal to a broader audience.

[Herb.]

Because she does not face the scrutiny and disadvantages in life an African American or dark skin woman feels, as she is neither.

But race is socially constructed in America, it has next to nothing to do with your actual heritage. I think she realizes that, which is why she's always identified with being Black.

A police officer isn't going to stop a brown skinned man and ask for his ancestry report before wrongfully arresting him or blowing his brains out. He sees skin that is not white, nor beige. He sees a person of color.

And even if we take it back into history and ancestry a bit, Dominicans have both African ancestry and slavery in their bloodlines as well. She happens to be one of the rare Dominicans that realize this and how it contributes to the color of her skin. She doesn't look like J-Lo, or Jessica Alba, etc. To me, for one of them to take a role like this would have been quite offensive. Because they could almost pass for white.

You do not have to explain to me that Zoe has black ancestry lol. I am the king of ethnology round here and been doing my lecturing years before you found the light, luv.

Then why would you even think that actual ancestry has anything to do with the perception of race that leads to our struggles here in America?

Because people can clearly SEE that she is not as black, dark, nappy as a Nina Simone, and she does get treat preferentially because of that. Are you saying colorism does not exist?

Let's revisit your original statement:

Because she does not face the scrutiny and disadvantages in life an African American or dark skin woman feels, as she is neither.

You said dark skinned OR African American woman. You're trying to focus in on colorism now which is an INTERNAL issue but you started this conversation with the additional EXTERNAL issue of oppression and racism. That is what I am addressing. So let's not backtrack. Again. Why do African Americans face adversity in America? Because of the color of the skin. Has very little to do with actual ancestry. And she is not a white, nor a clearly "Latina" woman.

If you're going to address and compare how Zoe cannot relate because she doesn't face disadvantages in life as an AA, keep in mind that skin color determines race in this country. And these constructs are the things put in place to separate and oppress us. You don't know what roles Zoe has lost to a white woman because of her skin.

We have Michael B Jordan out there, and Tyrese, doing Blockbuster movies, we're clearly in a different time these days. Will Smith as well. But let's see how fast they hand ANY of them an Oscar. Zoe included. So miss me on the whole argument about privilege.

[Herb.]

They picked her because she is the "It" black girl that can appeal to a broader audience.

I mean it could be that simple. She's popping right now, she's Black. Call her up and get her in for this role.

I do believe that these studios and mess are completely out of touch and insensitive when it comes to issues we face in the Black community, which is probably why they wouldn't see a problem with darkening her skin, "nappying" up her hair and broadening her nose a bit.....but leave Zoe alone

[SouravMay]

herb gorl if you think to white america halle berry and viola davis is the same thing, than that's your opinion, a ridiculous one though.

Lighter skin and "better" hair can open you so many more doors in the Western world, not just within your "internal" community.

You are starting to sound like a New Black to be honest...

[Herb.]

herb gorl if you think to white america halle berry and viola davis is the same thing, than that's your opinion, a ridiculous one though.

Lighter skin and "better" hair can open you so many more doors in the Western world, not just within your "internal" community.

You are starting to sound like a New Black to be honest...

You're completely twisting my words and my point. Not once during this discussion have I denied the existence of colorism, racism, or oppression. Reread and get back to me.

[BigDawg]

They picked her because she is the "It" black girl that can appeal to a broader audience.

I mean it could be that simple. She's popping right now, she's Black. Call her up and get her in for this role.

I do believe that these studios and mess are completely out of touch and insensitive when it comes to issues we face in the Black community, which is probably why they wouldn't see a problem with darkening her skin, "nappying" up her hair and broadening her nose a bit.....but leave Zoe alone

I dunno, I feel like given today's climate Zoe could have been a bit more proactive about the decision. I feel like she would put this getup on for a movie check but would she walk down the street on a regular day like that? She can peel the prosthetics and make up off at the end of the day, but many others blacks can not.

[Herb.]

They picked her because she is the "It" black girl that can appeal to a broader audience.

I mean it could be that simple. She's popping right now, she's Black. Call her up and get her in for this role.

I do believe that these studios and mess are completely out of touch and insensitive when it comes to issues we face in the Black community, which is probably why they wouldn't see a problem with darkening her skin, "nappying" up her hair and broadening her nose a bit.....but leave Zoe alone

I dunno, I feel like given today's climate Zoe could have been a bit more proactive about the decision. I feel like she would put this getup on for a movie check but would she walk down the street on a regular day like that? She can peel the prosthetics and make up off at the end of the day, but many others blacks can not.

Why would she wanna walk around looking like Nina though? It's a role. Jamie didn't opt to keep his Ray shades and mess. I get what you're saying and I do think the studio was very insensitive, but Zoe is getting her money.

Better her than them asking Paris Hilton to do it. Which unfortunately isn't unfathomable these days.

[SouravMay]

Because she does not face the scrutiny and disadvantages in life an African American or dark skin woman feels, as she is neither.

But race is socially constructed in America, it has next to nothing to do with your actual heritage. I think she realizes that, which is why she's always identified with being Black.

A police officer isn't going to stop a brown skinned man and ask for his ancestry report before wrongfully arresting him or blowing his brains out. He sees skin that is not white, nor beige. He sees a person of color.

But he sees more than that.

Person of color is not person of color.

Stop trying to liken the struggle of women who like Zoe's to the struggle of women who look like Nina. I am sure she brown Latinas have their own share of issues and lost some roles, but she still has privilege and advantages, inherently due to her complexion and phenotype, that is denied to ebony colored women who look like Nina, and there is just no way around it.

[Herb.]

And to be clear, I'm asking why people are mad with ZOE.
I'm well aware of why people are upset with the production overall.

[SouravMay]

Zoe should know good and well that she does not face the same hardship as a Nina Simone looking woman does and should have kindly rejected the offer. And she should have known she'd look a fool with this travesty of make up they gave her.

Again, Lupita should always so no, when being asked to portray Alicia Keys... So why is it okay for Zoe to accept this mess, herbert?

[Herb.]

Because she does not face the scrutiny and disadvantages in life an African American or dark skin woman feels, as she is neither.

But race is socially constructed in America, it has next to nothing to do with your actual heritage. I think she realizes that, which is why she's always identified with being Black.

A police officer isn't going to stop a brown skinned man and ask for his ancestry report before wrongfully arresting him or blowing his brains out. He sees skin that is not white, nor beige. He sees a person of color.

But he sees more than that.

Person of color is not person of color.

Stop trying to liken the struggle of women who like Zoe's to the struggle of women who look like Nina. I am sure she brown Latinas have their own share of issues and lost some roles, but she still has privilege and advantages, inherently due to her complexion and phenotype, that is denied to ebony colored women who look like Nina, and there is just no way around it.

Yeah there are advantages and privileges. I won't debate that. Nowhere on the level of a white person, but slight mess here and there. But this still doesn't explain why people are mad at her. This was my question. She is of African heritage, she identifies as a Black woman. Not only for this role did she "suddenly" become pro-Black, but she's ALWAYS said she was Black.

She has the heritage, she has the skin. Where the fuck is the anger to HER coming from.

[Herb.]

What's so hilarious to me is...

Black people are quick to call out Dominicans for not embracing their African/Black heritage.
"You just BLACK with some good hair! Nothing else!"
But here we have a woman not only embracing it, but taking on a role to celebrate part of it.
Now, it's "how dare you, you're not black enough...Spanish bitch".... nssndnsdnds I'm sorry...but

i luv my ppl, but am sorry

[SouravMay]

Because she does not face the scrutiny and disadvantages in life an African American or dark skin woman feels, as she is neither.

But race is socially constructed in America, it has next to nothing to do with your actual heritage. I think she realizes that, which is why she's always identified with being Black.

A police officer isn't going to stop a brown skinned man and ask for his ancestry report before wrongfully arresting him or blowing his brains out. He sees skin that is not white, nor beige. He sees a person of color.

But he sees more than that.

Person of color is not person of color.

Stop trying to liken the struggle of women who like Zoe's to the struggle of women who look like Nina. I am sure she brown Latinas have their own share of issues and lost some roles, but she still has privilege and advantages, inherently due to her complexion and phenotype, that is denied to ebony colored women who look like Nina, and there is just no way around it.

Yeah there are advantages and privileges. I won't debate that. Nowhere on the level of a white person, but slight mess here and there. But this still doesn't explain why people are mad at her. This was my question. She is of African heritage, she identifies as a Black woman. Not only for this role did she "suddenly" become pro-Black, but she's ALWAYS said she was Black.
She has the heritage, she has the skin. Where the fuck is the anger to HER coming from.

No she does not. She does not have the skin. She might have the title "black", the category. But she does not habe the skin. THAT is the crucial point. Nina Simone's character is literally defined by her extra dark skin, and her extra nappy hair and her facial features.

Now had this been any other black singer, where her skin color was not of much relevance, like for instance, Anita Baker or somebody, then it's like okay, go ahead! All you need to be is "black", Anita wasn't known for being dark but for her smooth bedroom vocals, but Nina Simone's shtick was her afrocentrism.

[Herb.]

Because she does not face the scrutiny and disadvantages in life an African American or dark skin woman feels, as she is neither.

But race is socially constructed in America, it has next to nothing to do with your actual heritage. I think she realizes that, which is why she's always identified with being Black.

A police officer isn't going to stop a brown skinned man and ask for his ancestry report before wrongfully arresting him or blowing his brains out. He sees skin that is not white, nor beige. He sees a person of color.

But he sees more than that.

Person of color is not person of color.

Stop trying to liken the struggle of women who like Zoe's to the struggle of women who look like Nina. I am sure she brown Latinas have their own share of issues and lost some roles, but she still has privilege and advantages, inherently due to her complexion and phenotype, that is denied to ebony colored women who look like Nina, and there is just no way around it.

Yeah there are advantages and privileges. I won't debate that. Nowhere on the level of a white person, but slight mess here and there. But this still doesn't explain why people are mad at her. This was my question. She is of African heritage, she identifies as a Black woman. Not only for this role did she "suddenly" become pro-Black, but she's ALWAYS said she was Black.
She has the heritage, she has the skin. Where the fuck is the anger to HER coming from.

No she does not. She does not have the skin. She might have the title "black", the category. But she does not habe the skin. THAT is the crucial point. Nina Simone's character is literally defined by her extra dark skin, and her extra nappy hair and her facial features.

Now had this been any other black singer, where her skin color was not of much relevance, like for instance, Anita Baker or somebody, then it's like okay, go ahead! All you need to be is "black", Anita wasn't known for being dark but for her smooth bedroom vocals, but Nina Simone's shtick was her afrocentrism.

I see your point. I get it.

But I don't like you right now  so